Military updates for the week starting May 25th.
May 25th, Homs province: Fighting continues in Qusayr, army advancing slowly, rebels putting up stiff defence, army repels attempts to reinforce rebels
Source:http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/syria-army-tightens-grip-fighters-qusayr
May 25th, Homs province: SAA enters Da'ba airport north of Qusayr
Source:http://www.presstv.com/detail/2013/05/25/305361/syria-army-seizes-aldabaa-airport/
and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo2AklEFf9Y
May 26th, Homs province: Still conflicting claims over who control the airport north of Qusayr, it would appear however it is at the very least being contested.
May 26th,Al-Hasakah province: Fighting breaks out again between rebels and Kurdish YPG forces in Ras el Ein. This is the third time major fighting has broken out there, despite 2 previous ceasefires. Several other posts from the SOHR are indicating that the fighting is much more widespread this time, taking place in several other towns and citys such as Efrin. Nothing is verifiable of course. Source: SOHR on the same day
May 27th, Homs province: SAA captures Hamidiya a town just west of Qusayr airport. Source: Sohr on same day.
May 28th, Aleppo province: Reports SAF is preparing for an offensive in aleppo.
and http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/syria-after-qusayr-regime-eyes-aleppo
Some evidence to back this up is that the SAA yesterday captured the village of Dhahret Abd Rabbo north of aleppo city in an attempt to cut off supplies to rebels in the city. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z0n2GZN0vE
May 28th: More reports of rebel/kurdish fighting. Source:http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/syria-border-clashes-pit-fsa-against-kurds
May 29th, Homs province: SAA captures airport north of Qusayr completely acording to several sources: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/05/29/306086/syria-takes-control-of-aldabaa-airport/
May 30th: No major updates.
May 31th: Only thing possibly worth mentioning is rumours of of Russia fulfilling a contract to deliver Mig-29M2 fighter jets to the SAF. They had previously said they would not deliver weapon systems of an offensive nature.
NOTE: Last week I mentioned the rebel capture of the youth camp in idlib province: http://www.reddit.com/r/syriancivilwar/comments/1ezvfg/military_updates_for_the_week_starting_may_18th/
I said no videos had emerged of the capture of the base proper, since then however videos have showed up showing the capture of the base:http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=4e0_1369713115
It does appear largely deserted however, only a few SAA bodies are shown, it would appear the garrison retreated to the brick factory or to Idlib city.
As always free to ask any questions related to the military situation in Syria.
Posted May 31, 2013, 4:50 PM UTC